Read previewRussian forces are taking advantage of Ukraine's manpower shortage to thin out the front line and improve their chances of making breakthroughs, a war analyst said. According to the Times, in recent days Russian troops have poured across Ukraine's northeastern border and have taken at least nine villages and settlements. Ukraine's parliament also passed a bill earlier this month that would allow the country's military to recruit prisoners to fight . Whether these will be enough to replenish Ukrainian forces and prevent Russian breakthroughs remains unclear. AdvertisementFor now, Russian forces appear to be trying to encircle the city of Vovchansk in northern Kharkiv from the west and the east, according to an assessment published on Sunday by the ISW.

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Persons: —, Franz, Stefan Gady, Michael Kofman, Kofman, Mark Herlting Organizations: Service, Center for New American Security, New York Times, Business, Times, Carnegie Endowment, International, Pentagon, Artillery, CNN, Associated Press Locations: Ukraine, Donbas, Ukrainian, Kharkiv, Russia, Ukraine's, Vovchansk